XS Sights has added another type of night sight to their lineup. These new sights are called RAM sights. RAM stands for Radioactive Material. Since they are Tritium night sights, the name is appropriate. XS offered to send me a set after seeing the F8 sight review, and I eagerly accepted.
The RAM sights are a semi-standard 3 dot system. I say “semi-standard”, because they are equipped with XS’s Glow Dot Technology. This technology allows the ring around the front sight to glow. I chose the green ring this time, since the F8’s, I reviewed previously, have the orange ring. The front sight ring absorbs ambient light through photoluminescence and then glows. If you shine a bright flashlight on the front sight, it glows really bright for about 10 minutes, and then slowly returns to the normal color. I like the Glow Dot feature, mainly because in some lighting situations, tritium can wash out and you are left with just a standard sighting configuration. The Glow Dot helps me pick up the front sight in those conditions.
Low light, no glow
Glowing front sight after shining flashlight on it. Notice that it glows so bright there is actually a reflection off the slide.
As with all XS sights, the RAM’s use tritium inserts. The tritium will glow green for years. In fact, XS warranties them for 10 years, not just on the tritium, but also the sights. When I compared these to other tritium sights, they seem to glow just as bright, which is quite bright. The 3 dot sight system has 3 dots, wow, imagine that! Each dot is a tritium vial. Two in the rear sight, one on each side of the notch. Then one in the middle of the front sight. In low light, one just puts the three dots in a horizontal line and the sights are “lined” up. The front sight also has the Glow Dot feature around the tritium dot. The rear is all blacked out except for the tritium dots.
Front sight, immediately after shining light on it. Notice it is so bright that it reflects off of the slide.
Front sight glow, a couple of minutes after shining light on it.
Besides being “night sights”, the RAM’s make good daylight sights too. The RAM’s use a front sight width of 0.145” and a square rear notch of 0.170”. This gives me a real good, fairly precise, sight picture. When looking down the sights, this combination gives me light on both sides of the front blade, which I really like for more precise shooting. Having that big green dot on the front sight makes it really easy to see and pick up on your target (think fast sight acquisition). It’s almost like having a fiber optic front sight. Let’s just say the daytime sight picture works really good for me.
Since the RAM sights sent to me were for a Glock, I installed them on a Freedom Flag products slide. In fact, the slide I used was the same one I had previously mounted XS’s F8 sights on. Installation was straight forward. A front sight tool and threadlocker was provided in the package. The front sight fit snugly, as did the rear. If you don’t think you can install the sights yourself, XS can do it for a small fee.
In my opinion, the RAM sights are really designed for a carry gun. They are very durable. The front edge of the rear sight is straight up and down. This allows for easier slide manipulation with one hand. The back edge of the rear sight is also angled inward, from top to bottom. This is done to help reduce glare off of the sight. A pretty smart addition.
XS sights did a great job with the RAM’s. I am excited that they are bringing out more of the “standard” style of night sights. The only bad thing to be said, is that they don’t offer the RAM’s in a tall version to be used with a mini red dot or suppressor. Go give XS sights a look, their new options are just awesome.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Night Sights
Target Market:
Those wanting 3 dot night sights on their handgun
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Tritium Powered Front & Rear Sight
High-Contrast Color Front Sight - Available in bright orange or green
Ember Glow Dot - Photoluminescent dot absorb ambient light and glows in low light
Rear Sight Overhang - Reduces rear sight glare in bright light
Anti-Reflective Rear Tritium Lens
Rear Sight Ledge - Aids in one-handed slide manipulations
CNC Steel - Extremely durable for duty use
10 Year Warranty - No Questions Asked Night Sight Warranty
0.145” Front Sight width
0.170 Rear Notch Width
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Orange Front sight
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP = $109.99
Retail = $99.99 on Amazon
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Bright Tritium
Green Glow Dot
Made in USA
Easily seen front sight
Everything included in package (front sight tool, thread locker)
Cons:
No “tall” option
Tritium washes out (a fault of all tritium sights)
Score: 8.50 Great
Favorite Link: Freedom Flag Products
